Marking device



A Filed March 27, 1962 June 25; 1963 R. H. BUNZL ETAL 3,094,736

MARKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 25, 1963 R. H. BUNzL ETAL MARKING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 27, 1962 i INVENTORS. y RUDL PH EUA/zi.

qL M. E

R/cf-mao ERGER BY A l' Fm/ML' ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O Va., assignors to U.S. Filter Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Mar. 27, 1962, ser.- No. 183,344 1s Claims. (Cl. 15-563) This invention relates broadly to a marking device, and is particularly concerned with the provision of an improved marking device adapted to hold marking iluid and permit selective application thereof to a surface by way of writing or the like.

Various different forms of crayon-like marking devices have heretofore been suggested. Generally, such devices comprise a container of some for-m having a wick projecting therefrom, whereby when the wick is impregnated with a writing uid, as for example ordinary ink, the device can `be used for purposes of writing a legend or other indicia on a given surface.

Nothwithstanding the various prior art suggestions, the industry is constantly in search of an improved marking device of the crayon-type which can not only be inexpensively manufactured, but which in addition provides improved fluid or ink dispensing properties, and the present invention has as its primary object the provision of a marking device of a crayon-type possessing such advantages.

The present application is a continuation-impart of copending application of Rudolph H. Bunzl and Richard M. Berger `for Marking Device and Methods of Making Same, tiled September 28, 1961, Serial No. 141,444, now abandoned.

More particularly, the primary objects of the present invention are (l) to provide an improved marking device comprising an elongated adsorbent body adapted to controllably dispense writing yfluid carried therein, and an impermeable overwrap for such body adapted to give rigidity to Vthe body and serve as a handling casing, and (2) to provide steps in a process of fabricating a marking device, which steps yield a product conforming with the preceding object, and which steps can be carried out inexpensively and with available machinery and equipment.

In connection with the product of the invention, even further, and still more specic objects of the invention are: (a) to provide a Imarking device. conforming with all of the preceding objects and having as the adsorbent body thereof a tow or tow segment comprising continuous filaments randomly oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction and bonded at a plurality of spaced. locations by a plasticizer 4for such filaments; (b) to provide such a marking device wherein the adsorbent body comprises a tow or tow segment formed, in'` accordance with the methods disclosed and explained in co-pending application Serial No. 56,189, filed September 15, 1960,. and entitled, Method for Treating, Apparatus for Handling, and ProductsV Formed From, Continuous Filamentary Tows; (c) to provide such a marking device wherein the overwrap comprises a metal -foil preferably having one face thereof coated with a heat scalable. plastic-eg. polyethylene coated aluminum foil; (d) toV provide -such a marking device wherein the impervious overwrap surrounds the periphery of the adsorbentbody and contacts the same, and wherein the impervious overwrap terminates in spaced relation to one end of the adsorbent body thereby exposing the end portion of suchV body for writing therewith; (e) to provide such a marking device wherein the longitudinal terminal edges of the overwrap -are overlapped, and heat sealed to form a seam extending longitudinally of the device; (f) to provide such a marking Patented June 25, 1963' 2. device wherein the exposed end portion of the adsorbent body is frustro-conical in shape; (g) to provide such a marking device wherein lthe end portion of the overwrap adjacent to the exposed end portion of the adsorbent body is also frustro-conical in shape and effectively sealed with the adsorbent body; (h) to provide such a marking device which will prevent the escape of substantially al1 inks, regardless of their liluidity and wetting properties, `from ibetween the impervious overwrap and the adsorbent body at the terminus of the overwrap whichis adjacent the exposed end portion of the adsorbent body; (i) to provide such a marking device wherein at least the fibres in the peripheral layer of the exposed end portion of the adsorbent body are more firmly bonded than other libres of the body thereby to prevent fraying of the fibres during use of the device; (j) to provide such a marking device wherein the end portion of the overwrap remote from the writing end of the .device projects' lbeyond the end of the adsorbent body so as to provide a filling spout which aid-s insertion of writing uid, and which canv be collapsed easily to effectively seal one endof the device; (k) to provide such a marking device which is durable and trouble free in operation and use and which is adapted to controllably dispense all conventional available inks.

While the article described and claimed in aforesaid application Serial No. 141,444 was generally satisfactory and superior in performance to the prior known marking devices, it is subject to leakage between the conical end of the impervious overwrap and the adsorbent body when inks having certain qualities are used with it, such as inks of higher fluidity and/or wetting properties. The present invention provides an improved construction which substantially obvi-ates such leakage with' virtually all inks.

The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those specificallyl seti forth above, willl become apparent when consideration is given tof-the lfollowing detailed description. `Such description refersV to the annexed drawing presenting preferred and illustrative'embcdiments hereof, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view, partially broken away of an overwrapped tow formed in accordance with the initial steps of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a side view, similar to FIGURE l, but having a broken away portion exposing the tow itself.

FIGURE 3 is a side View similar to FIGURES 1' and 2, but displayingthe tow in its ultimate disposition with respect to the overwrap therefor;

FIGURE 4 is a side View, partially broken away, presenting a completed marking device and a nal' forming die of the type adapted to be used in accordance with the forming step of the invention;

FIGURE 5 isy a fragmental detail view showing the forward end of a marking device constructed in accordance with the invention, and the preferred type of fina-l forming die used in accordance herewith;

FIGURE 6 is al fragmental detailed enlargedl crosssectional view presenting the preferred form of overwrap used in the marking device provided hereby;

FIGURE 7 is a side view similar to FIGURE 3, showing the tow and overwrap in an alternate embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 8- is a side view, with parts broken awayl and in. section, showing ya completed marking device and nal forming die of the type adapted to be used in` accordance with the nal forming step in the alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view showing anl alternate nal forming diev used in accordance with the invention;

In. the. drawings the completed marking'device --is best shown in FIGURE 4, and there generally designated by the numeral 2, Such device comprises an overwrap 4 surrounding the periphery of an elongated adsorbent body 6. YThe forward end 6(a) of the adsorbent body 6 is formed into a frustro-conical shape, and the forward end portion 4(11) of the overwrap is formed into a corresponding frustro-conical shape.

The adsorbent body 6, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, comprises an elongate tow or tow segment of filaments randomly oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction, and bonded at a plurality of spaced locations by a plasticizer for the lilaments. The term filamentary rtow as used in :this specification and the appended claims, means a material such -as that which results when filaments spun from a plurality of spinnerets are brought together and combined, preferably with filaments of other spinnerets, to form a continuous body of fibres randomly oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction. The term randomly oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction as used in this specification and the appended claims, is intended to describe the condition of a body of fibres which are as a whole longitudinally aligne-d, and which are, in the aggregate, in a parallel orientation, but which have short portions running more or less at random in non-parallel diverging and converging directions.

Continuous lamentary tov/s of the type adapted to form the adsorbent body preferably used in the marking device provided hereby are made in accordance with the teaching of aforesaid patent application Serial No. 56,189 as well `as in accordance with continuation-in-part application Serial No. 125,868, filed July 2, 1961 and entitled, Method for Treating, Apparatus for Handling and Products Formed From, Continuous Filamentary Tows.

Such continuous filamentary tows, as explained in such applications, have a stiffened peripheral layer, and preferably comprise at least fifty percent cellulose acetate fibres. Moreover, n such tows, the fibres are jointed together by a plasticizer preferably of the thermoplastic type. Suitable fibres and plasticizers -for use in the tow used in a device in conformance herewith are described in both of such copending applications. Tow bodies so formed provide immediate rigidity, and tend to prevent wrinkles in the overwrap.

The instant invention is particularly concerned with the utilization of a tow such -as formed in the aforesaid applications, and for purposes of comprehending the present invention, it lis only important to understand that the adsorbent body thereof preferably comprises a body of continuous filaments randomly oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction `and bonded at `a plurality of spaced locations by a plasticizer for the filaments. Preferably, however, the filaments are at least fifty percent cellulose acetate filaments and the adsorbent body has a stiffened peripheral layer.

Filamentary tows, such as described above, are generally formed more or less as ropes. Such rope-like tows are adapted to be fed through the wrapping section of an ordinary cigarette-making machine for purposes of applying an overwrap thereto, `and .the instant invention contemplates utilization of such machinery for applying the overwrap portion of the marking device provided hereby to the adsorbent body portion thereof.

In accordance with the invention, the overwrap 4 comprises a metal foil coated with a thermoplastic material. In FIGURE 6, the overwrap foil is shown as consisting of a primary layer 8 of aluminum foil coated on one side with layer 10 of a suitable plastic, such as polyethylene. The overwrap 4 is disposed about the periphery of the tow, as shown in FIGURE 1 so as to completely encase the same. The terminal longitudinal edges 12 and 12' of the overwrap are overlapped slightly as shown in FIGURE 2, and preferably sealed tto provide longitudinal seam generally designated by the numeral 14. Such sealing is achieved, in accordance with the preferred embodiments of .the invention, by applying heat along the seam through the utilization of the `standard heat sealing element available at the overwrap section of standing cigarette-making equipment.

The overwrap can be `applied to the tow in lengths, and the overwrap tow can thereafter be cut into segments so as to provide 1an initial product such .as shown in FIG- URES l and 2-i.e., a product comprising an adsorbent lamentary tow body having an impermeable overwrap surrounding the entire periphery thereof.

After the initial formation of the product, the invention contemplates applying pressure to the adsorbent tow body to move the same forward in the direction of the arrow A (FIGURE 3) thereby exposing the forward end portion 6(a) of the body 6. After the tow 6 has been pushed forward as shown in FIGURE 3, then the product is moved in the direction of arrow B (FIGURE 5) so that the forward ends of the tow body and overwrap are pushed into ya final forming die means generally designated by the numeral 20. Such die means comprises a body 22 having a heating means 24 therein, and a frustroconical recess 26 extending therethrough. In the embodiment of FIGURE 5, the frustro-conical recess is shown as having a frustro-conical hollow liner 28 therein. This liner is preferably formed of Teon (polytetrafiuoroethylene). The heating means 24, -as shown, comprises a steam channel within the die 20 fand serves to heat the die and liner 28 thereof, so that when the forward end portion 6(a) of the adsorbent body, land the -forward end portion 4(a) of the overwrap are moved into the liner, the same a-re shaped to conform with the interior shape of the liner.

The heating during the final forming steps serves to provide for a firmer bonding of at least a peripheral layer of fibres of the exposed end of the adsorbent body through the cohesive properties of the plasticizer. Moreover, by virtue of providing a thermoplastic coating on the overwrap, the overwrap, once formed frustro-conioally, maintains its position upon setting-up of the thermoplastic layer once the device has been removed from the final forming die. It should be noted that additionally, the provision of the plastic coated overwrap permits a sealing of the overwrap to the peripheral layer adjacent thereto of the adsorbent body.

Die temperatures of the order of 425 have been found to be particularly satisfactory for achieving the desired forming, bonding and sealing. However, the exact temperature used is dependent on the plasticizer Iand moisture content of the adsorbent body, las should be 'readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

While the final forming die of FIGURE 5 is preferred, la lmodified embodiment of the invention provides for using a final forming die such as shown in FIGURE 4. This die generally designated lby the numeral 20 generally conforms with the die shown in FIGURE 5. However, instead of using the Teflon liner 28, steam channels 30, 31 land 32 are provided so as to extend from primary heating channels 34 and 36. When steam is introduced into the primary heating channels, the same passes through the auxiliary channels 3f), 31 and 32 whereby steam issues from the surface of the recess 28. When the device is formed, lat its final step, with the die of FIGURE 4, the same results are achieved as with the die of FIGURE 5. However, in certain instances, the steam is preferable to the use of the Teflon liner, not only because of the expense of Teflon, but also because the steam tends to maintain porosity of the exposed end portion.

Y It is particularly significant to note that the invention contemplates the provision of la frustro-conical end portion on the marking device. The circular tip which is obtained by virtue of such formation of the writing end portion of the device facilitates application of ink to a surface, )and moreover, permits by variation in slope, a variation in the marking width. 'Ilhis construction lends itself to easier application of curved lines than, for example, a square or rectangular end.

Although not specifically set forth Iabove, it should be apparent from a -reviewA of the drawings,A that the final marking device provided by the instant invention has an inlet spout generally designated by the numeral 40 at the rear end thereof. This spout permits easy filling of the -absorbent Ibody with the writing fiuid or ink. Moreover, since t-he overwrap comprises a foil, once the device has been filled with ink, the end can `be collapsed by a mere crushing operation with the hand, and the rear end of the device can accordingly bey effectively sealed.

Although it has been stated herein above that the marking device provided hereby can be formed initially with available cigarette-making machinery, it is tobe understood that other equipment can be used in the formation without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, and that4 other modifications can bem'ade in the product and methods provided hereby without departing from the principles hereof. While tows as described above are preferred for the adsorbent body, in some instances other fibrous bodies of rod-like shape can be used. Regardless of the type tow, however, with use of a die such las that shown in FIGURE 5, 'as well as with use of a die such as shown in FIGURE, 4, the right (small) end of the recesses 26 and 28', respectively, should. be open, and the tip ofthe tow being formed should be passed at least to the right edge of the die as shown, whereby to prevent undesired bonding of the exposed tip fibers.

Referring now to FIGURE 7, there is shown a product 45 which is generally similar to the product shown in FIGURE 2, and comprising an adsorbent filamentary tow body 6 and an overwrap 4. Instead of applying pressure to the adsorbent tow `body 6 to move the same forward as is shown in FIGURE 3, an end portion 46 of the overwrap 4 is cut away by any suitable means and discarded to thereby expose the forward end portion 6(a) of the body 6. The product of FIGURE 7 is therefore similar to the product shown in FIGURE 3, except that there is not present an inlet spout 40` las in the FIGURE 3 construction.

After formation of the product of FIGURE 7, it is moved in the direction of the arrow B (FIGURE 8) so that the forward ends of the tow body and overwrap Iare pushed into a final forming die means generally design-ated 50. Die means 50 is generally similar in construction and operation to die means 20 shown lin FIGURE 5, except that the ifrustro-conical recess 56 thereof is provided with fiutes 60 which extend along the Walls of the frustroconical recess and in planes through the axis thereof. Die means 50 has a matching hollow liner 58, preferably formed of Teflon (polytetrafiuoroethylene).

The marking 4device 65 shown in FIGURE 8 is similar to the marking device 2 of FIGURE 4, but not having an inlet spout 40, land having indentations 62 in the forward end portion 64 thereof, which indentations -62 were caused by the utes 6G and extend in both the exposed forward end portion 6(11) of the adsorbent tow body 6 and in the forward end of the overwrap 4.

The marking device '65 is characterized by having a seal between the conical end portion yof the adsorbent tow body 6 and the conical end of the impervious overwrap 4, and is proof -against substantially all inks, including those inks having higher iiuidity and/ or wetting properties.

There is shown in -FIGURE 9 an alternate embodiment of a final forming die, generally designated 70, die 70 being of generally the same construction `as die 20 shown in FIGURE 4, except that it is provided with utes 60 generally similar to the fiutes 60 shown in the die means 50 of FIGURE 8.

The operation of `the die 70 will be understood from the operation discussed labove in connection with the die means 50 and die 20.

From the foregoing description, it should be apparent that the objects set forth lat the outset of this specification have been successfully achieved, and accordingly,

What is claimed is:

l. A marking device adapted to hold marking fluid and permit selective application thereof to a surface, said device comprisingl an elongate adsorbent body of continuous laments randomly` oriented primarily in a longitudinal direction and bonded at a plurality of spaced locations by a plasticizer 'for said filaments, and aliquid impervious overwrap surroundingA `at least substantially the entireperiphery of said adsorbent body but terminating in spaced relation to. one end thereof. to exposev said one end ofV said body for writing therewith, :the terminal edges of said overwrap being overlapped and heat sealed to form a seam.

2. Ak marking device as defined in claim 1 wherein said filaments fare at least' 50% cellulose acetate filaments, wherein said adsorbent body has a stiffened peripheral layer in contact with said overwrap and a softer inner portion within the confines of saidlayer, wherein said overwrap comprises a metal. foil having at leastV one lface thereof coated wtih .a heat scalable plastic, and: wherein saidA plastic is heat sealed. to said adsorbent body adjacent said yone end o-flsaidV adsorbent body.

3. A marking deviceas `defined in claim 2 wherein the end portion` offsaid body adjacent said one exposed end is at least generally frusto-conical in, shapewand at least the fibres of the peripheral:` layer of said end portion are more firmly bonded together lthan the fibers of .the remainder of said body.

4. A marking device 4as defined in claim 3 wherein said overwrap projects beyond the end of said body opposite said one end, and wherein a portion of said overwrap overlies a portion of s-aid end portion of said body and is conformi-ngly frusto-conical in shape therewith.

5. A 4marking device as defined in claim 4 wherein said overwrap is polyethylene coated aluminum foil.

6. A marking device as defined in claim 1 wherein said body has .a ystiifened peripheral layer in contact with said overwrap, and wherein the end portion of said body adjacent said one exposed end is frusto-conical in shape, and at least the fibers of the peripheral layer of said end portion are more firmly bonded together than the fibres of the remainder of said body.

7. A marking device as defined in claim 1 :wherein the end portion of lsaid body adjacent said one exposed end is frusto-conic-al in shape, and wherein a portion of said overwrap overlies a portion of said end portion land is conformingly frusta-conical in shape therewith.

8. A marking device adapted to hold marking fluid and permit selective application thereof to a surface, said device comprising :an elongate adsorbent body formed of a plurality of fibres, at least some of which are synthetic, joined at a multiplicity of spaced locations and providing a rod-like unit-ary structure, and an impervious overwrap surrounding the periphery of said structure and terminating in spaced relation to one end thereof to expose one end portion of said body .for writing therewith, said overwrap being sealed to the periphery of said adsorbent body at least adjacent said one end portion.

9. A marking device adapted to hold marking fluid and permit selective application thereof to a surface, said device comprising an elongate adsorbent body formed of a plurality of fibres joined at a multiplicity of spaced locations and providing a rod-like unitary structure, and an impervious overwrap surrounding the periphery of said structure and terminating in spaced relation to one end thereof to expose one end portion of said body for writing therewith, said overwrap comprising a metal foil coated on one face thereof with a thermo-plastic material.

10. A marking device adapted to hold marking iiuid and permit selective application thereof to a surface, said device comprising an elongate adsorbent body formed of a plurality of fibres, at least some of which are synthetic, joined at a multiplicity of spaced locations and providing a rod-like unitary structure, and an impervious overwrap surrounding the periphery of said structure and terminating in spaced relation to one end thereof to expose one end portion of said body for writing therewith, the por-tion of said overwrap, and the underlying portion of said body, adjacent said one end portion having coincident ,indentions therein, said portion of said overwrap being sealed to the periphery of said und-erlying portion of said adsorbent body.

11. A marking device as dened in claim 10 wherein said one end portion of said body, at least part of said portion of said overwrap and at least part of said under-k lying portion of said adsorbent body are conformingly and continuously at least generally frusto-conical in shape.

12. A marking device as defined in claim 11 wherein the terminal edges of Said overwrap are overlapped and heat sealed -to form a seam.

13. A marking device as dened in claim 12 wherein said indentations lie in planes extending through the axis of said marking device, and said overwrap is polyethylene coated aluminum foil.

14. A marking device adapted to hold marking fluid and permit selective `application thereof .to a surface, said device comprising an elongate adsorbent body formed of a plurality of fibres joined at a multiplicity of spaced locations and providing a rod-like unitary structure, and an impervious overwrap surrounding the periphery of said structure and terminating in spaced relation to one end -thereof to expose one end portion of said body for writing therewith, said overwrap comprising a metal foil coated on at least one face thereof with a thermoplastic material, .the portion of said overwrap, and the underlying portion of said body adjacent said one end portion having coincident indentations therein, said indentations lying in planes extending through the axis of said marking device, said portion of said overwrap being sealed to the periphery of said underlying portion of said adsorbent body.

15. A marking device as defined in claim 14 wherein said portions of said overwrap and said body having said indentations therein are generally frusto-conical in shape.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,476,582 Browne et al July 19, 1949 2,547,541 Rosenthal Apr. 3, 1951 2,593,599 Patch Apr. 22, 1952 2,688,380 MacHenry Sept. 7, 1954 2,813,051 MacHenry Nov. 12, 1957 2,964,440 Stevens Dec. 13, 1960 2,979,433 MacHenry Apr. 11, 1961 

1. A MARKING DEVICE ADAPTED TO HOLD MARKING FLUID AND PERMIT SELECTIVE APPLICATION THEREOF TO A SURFACE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATE ADSORBENT BODY OF CONTINUOUS FILAMENTS RANDOMLY ORIENTED PRIMARILY IN A LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION AND BONDED AT A PLURALITY OF SPACED LOCATIONS BY A PLASTICIZER FOR SAID FILAMENTS, AND A LIQUID IMPERVIOUS OVERWRAP SURROUNDING AT LEAST SUBSTANTIALLY THE ENTIRE PERIPHERNY OF SAID ADSORBENT BODY BUT TERMINATING IN SPACED RELATION TO ONE END THEREOF TO EXPOSE SAID ONE END OF SAID BODY FOR WRITING THEREWITH, THE TERMINAL EDGES OF SAID OVERWRAP BEING OVERLAPPED AND HEAT SEALED TO FORM A SEAM. 